Kia ora,

The term has begun with relatively normal ‘busyness’ and expectations, which in many ways is reassuring.  Being able to build back into the broader aspects of school life is important, and we look forward to continuing this process throughout the term.  Reflecting this change, a number of EOTC activities took place including the Year 12 Outdoor Education classes participating in first-aid courses, a group of students successfully competed in the Christchurch Secondary Schools’ Road Race, the Year 13 Biology students had a field trip to Orana Park, and the Pasifika students’ Leadership group travelled to a Leadership Camp at Hanmer Springs. 

This week it has been nice to have a school wide focus on something other than COVID. On Thursday our school, along with all Christchurch secondary schools, participated in the first PPTA Accord Day for 2022.   I would like to thank our community for their understand as the school needed to be closed for tuition to allow our staff to engage in the Professional Development linked to the future changes for NCEA.  There are 4 Accord Days allocated this year to support the implementation of changes to NCEA.  There will be another one in Term 3 on the 22nd of August, and two more yet to be confirmed to be held in Term 4.

We're heading into another full and busy week next week which includes such things as: Otago University and Ara drop in sessions, Year 12 first aid, a Year 13 Geography field trip, winter sport starting, the Ethics Olympiad, and Bullying-Free week (with the theme this year  ‘He kōtuinga mahi iti, he hua pai-ā rau’; small ripples create big waves) finishing with a Pink Shirt Day on Friday, and the Relay for Life on Saturday here at school from 9.00am until 5.00pm (please come down to support the school in this important fundraiser).  

The Sport and Health Council run a number of staff vs students competitions each term.  On Wednesday lunchtime it was a tug of war. Six students from each year level went head-to-head to find the strongest group of students to then face off against the staff team.  This year, the staff won.  

As we continue to keep all of the required health measures in place at school, you may be interested to know that we are currently averaging approximately 30 students per week with COVID  This is a downward trend and we would continue to appreciate families/whānau notifying us of new cases via the email: [email protected]   

Ngā mihi nui

Jeff Smith

Principal